ICE FOIA proactive disclosures

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT

And

GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Memorandum of Agreement (MO A) is to set forth the responsibilities
of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(ICE) and the State Identification Bureau (SIB) regarding implementation of the Secure
Communities (SC) initiative related to biometric interoperability. SC is a comprehensive
ICE initiative that focuses on the identification and removal of aliens who are convicted
of a serious criminal offense and are subject to removal, including the utilization of
advanced biometric and communications technology to share information among law
enforcement agencies (LEAs) to identify, detain and remove from the United States
aliens who have been convicted of a serious criminal offense and are subject to removal.

II. AUTHORITY

Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) provisions regarding identification, detention,
arrest and removal of aliens (8 USC § 1226(c); 8 USC § 1226(d); 8 USC § 1226(e); 8 USC
§ 1227(a) (2); and 8 USC §1228); the INA provision regarding liaison activities with
internal security officers and data exchange (8 USC §1105); and FY 2008 DHS
Appropriations Act (Pub. L. No. 1 10-161, 121 Stat. 1844, 2365 (2007)).

III. THE GOALS OF SECURE COMMUNITIES

ICE is committed to improving community safety by transforming the manner in which
the federal government cooperates with state and local LEAs to identify, detain and
remove aliens convicted of a serious criminal offense. ICE utilizes advanced technology
to improve information sharing among LEAs and will apply a risk-based methodology to
focus resources.

To accomplish this goal, ICE leverages business and technical agreements between the
DHS United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT)
Program’s Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT) and the Federal Bureau
of Investigation’s (FBI) Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division Integrated

Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS). The combined biometric and
communications technology is known as IDENT/IAFIS Interoperability.

For the purpose of SC, the SIB and the state and local LEAs will continue to operate
pursuant to the FBI CJIS Division’s established policies and agreements. This MO A does
not affect a state’s existing relationship with the FBI CJIS Division. Rather, the MOA
builds on and enhances that relationship. Neither the SIB nor any state or local LEA that
is subject to this MOA will be responsible for determining an individual’s immigration
status or whether a particular conviction renders an individual removable pursuant to the
INA.

A. The SC initiative focuses on three objectives:

i. Identify aliens in federal, state and local custody charged with or
convicted of a serious criminal offense who are subject to removal
and those aliens who have prior convictions for serious criminal
offenses and are subject to removal who are currently at large;

ii. Prioritize enforcement actions to ensure apprehension and removal
of aliens convicted of serious criminal offenses; and,

iii. Transform criminal alien enforcement processes and systems to
achieve lasting results.

B. ICE will employ a risk-based approach to identify aliens charged with or
convicted of a serious criminal offense and incarcerated in jails and
prisons throughout the United States who are eligible for removal based
on the severity of their offenses. The risk basis for determining the threat
to community safety relies on a three-level hierarchy of aggravated
felonies and other serious offenses. Appendix A contains a description of
the state and federal criminal offenses that comprise Levels 1, 2 and 3.

i. This approach will build on the ICE Criminal Alien Program
(CAP), which is currently in use in all federal and state prisons.

ii. The SC risk-based approach classifies aliens convicted of a
criminal offense into three levels, starting with those who present
the greatest threat:

Level 1: Individuals who have been convicted of major
drug offenses, national security crimes, and violent crimes
such as murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery and
kidnapping;

Level 2: Individuals who have been convicted of minor
drug and property offenses such as burglary, larceny, fraud
and money laundering; and

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Level 3: Individuals who have been convicted of other
offenses.

iii. ICE is committed to identifying aliens convicted of serious

criminal offenses who are subject to removal in all three category
levels, with a priority assigned on the basis of risk to individuals
convicted of Level 1 offenses. ICE continues to exercise
discretion through its field offices in taking enforcement action
in cases of aliens convicted of Level 2 and 3 offenses as each
situation demands. At no time shall this MOA be construed to
limit the discretion of ICE in managing detention resources.

C. To facilitate the goals of SC, ICE is partnering with DHS components,
including U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Customs
and Border Protection (CBP) and the US-VISIT Program. ICE federal
interagency partners include the Department of State, Department of
Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Prisons, Executive Office for Immigration
Review, Executive Office of United States Attorneys, U.S. Marshals
Service and FBI CJIS Division. Appendix B contains acronyms and
abbreviations frequently used in the SC initiative.

IV. STATE IDENTIFICATION BUREAU (SIB) RESPONSIBILITIES

A. The SIB responsibility under this MOA begins when the LEA submits a
Criminal Answer Required (CAR) request, as appropriate according to
CJIS procedure, to SIB of the state in which the individual is being
booked. SIB will then electronically send the fingerprints to the FBI CJIS
Division. Receipt of the CAR will initiate a search of both IAFIS and US-
VISIT IDENT. However, National Fingerprint File (NFF) states send
fingerprints to the FBI CJIS Division only at the time of the initial arrest.
Second or subsequent criminal bookings in the NFF states result in a
Criminal Print Ident (CPI) file maintenance message to the FBI CJIS
Division. In the case of a subsequent arrest for a National Fingerprint File
(NFF) state, SIB will forward a CPI file maintenance message instead of a
CAR to FBI CJIS Division. There is no change in IAFIS processing.

B. If there is a match in IDENT, CJIS transmits the search results in a joint
IDENT Data Response (IDR) and Immigration Alien Response (IAR) to
the SIB. The SIB will in turn relay that response to the local LEA unless
the SIB does not have the technical capability to do so. A “no match IDR”
will be generated when a match is not found in IDENT.

V. ICE RESPONSIBILITIES

ICE will prioritize the processing of aliens convicted of Level 1 offenses. ICE will

detain and seek to remove Level 1 offenders after the completion of the

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individual’s sentence. For those aliens who have prior Level 1 convictions that are
discovered during the booking process, ICE will initiate steps to take such
individuals into custody for removal based on their prior Level 1 conviction(s) as
well as current charges, once the charges have been adjudicated.

A. Once fingerprint information is received by IAFIS, it will be cross-
checked against the DHS US-VISIT IDENT system.

B. Upon receipt of an Immigration Alien Query (IAQ) from the FBI CJIS
Division that there has been a match with the subject’s fingerprint in
IDENT, ICE Law Enforcement Support Center (LESC) will conduct an
immigration status determination.

C. When an alien is identified as having prior Level 1 convictions and is
subject to removal or is currently charged with a Level 1 offense and is
subject to removal, ICE will take the alien into custody after completion of
the individual’s sentence or when released from local custody and will
institute removal proceedings, as necessary.

D. ICE will rely on establishing in the field a “24/7” IDENT/IAFIS
Interoperability response capability and may utilize video teleconferencing
(VTC) to streamline the process of identifying and removing aliens
convicted of a serious criminal offense.

VI. PERIOD OF AGREEMENT

This MOA shall be effective upon signing by both parties and will remain in effect until
terminated by either party in accordance with the Section (below): MODIFICATIONS
AND TERMINATION.

VII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

The parties agree that, should any disagreements arise as a result of this MOA, the first
attempt at resolution shall occur at the program office level with the area(s) of
disagreement reduced to writing and submitted to the appropriate program office point of
contact (POC). If a resolution cannot be reached at this level, the disagreement will be
raised to the agency level in accordance with component procedures.

VIII. MODIFICATIONS AND TERMINATION

This MOA may be modified at any time by mutual written consent of both parties.

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This MOA will remain in effect from the date of signing until it is terminated by either
party. Either party, upon 30 days written notice to the other party, may terminate the
MOA at any time. A termination notice shall be delivered personally or by certified or
registered mail and termination shall take effect 30 days after receipt of such notice.

Either party, upon written or oral notice to the other party, may temporarily suspend
activities under this MOA when resource constraints or competing priorities necessitate.
Notice of termination or suspension by ICE shall be given to the SIB POC. Notice of
termination or suspension by the SIB shall be given to the ICE POC. The temporary
suspension of activities will take effect immediately upon receipt of such notice.

Use of IDENT/IAFIS for the purposes of racial and/or ethnic profiling or other activity in
violation of the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution is not permitted and
may result in the suspension of the local jurisdiction engaged in the improper activity.

ICE reserves the right to take appropriate remedial action if necessary.

IX. COSTS AND EXPENDITURES

Parties to this MOA are responsible for their own costs associated with carrying out
activities under this MOA. Nothing in this MOA is intended to imply that either Congress
or state or local legislatures will appropriate funding for activities under this MOA.

X. RELEASE OF INFORMATION TO THE MEDIA AND OTHER THIRD
PARTIES

SIB may, at its discretion, communicate the substance of this MOA to law enforcement
professional organizations expressing an interest in the law enforcement activities to be
engaged in under this MOA. It is ICE practice to provide a copy of this MOA to
requesting media outlets only after both parties have signed the MOA. Local LEAs are
authorized to do the same. However, the release of statistical information regarding the
SC initiative will be coordinated with the ICE Public Affairs Office POC identified in
Appendix D.

SIB hereby agrees, to the extent authorized by law, to coordinate with ICE regarding
information to be released to the media regarding actions taken under this MOA. The
POCs for ICE and the SIB for this purpose are identified in Appendix C.

XL SUMMARY OF ICE AND STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
RESPONSIBILITIES

This MOA does not, nor is it intended to, nor shall be construed to create any rights,
substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by any person in any matter, civil or
criminal.

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By signing this MO A, each party represents it is fully authorized to enter into this MOA
and accepts the terms, responsibilities, obligations and limitations of this MOA.

:e: iXygiKjU,/ QZ, JlOQ^

Acting Director, Secure Communities

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Date: OcJvbjA P7 so9

Terry D. Gibbons

Deputy Director

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

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APPENDIX A

Secure Communities Levels and Offense Categories by NCIC Code

Level 1 Crimes
(NCIC Code)

Level 2 Crimes
(NCIC Code)

Level 3 Crimes
(NCIC Code)

National Security* (0101-01 99,

1602, 5204-5299)

Arson (2001-2099)

Military (0201, 2099)

Homicide (0901-0999)

Burglary (2201-2299)

Immigration (030 1 -0399)

Kidnapping (1001-1099)

Larceny (2301-2399)

Extortion (2102-2199)

Sexual Assault (1 101-1199)

Stolen Vehicles (2401-241 1 ,
2499)

Damage Property (2901-2903)

Robbery (1201-1299)

Forgery (2501-2599)

Family Offenses (3801, 3804-
3899)

Aggravated Assault (1301-1399)

Fraud (2601-2699)

Gambling (3901-3999)

Threats (1601)

Embezzlement (2701-2799)

Commercialized Sex Offenses
(4001-4099)

Extortion -Threat to Injure Person
(2101)

Stolen Property (2801-2899)

Liquor (4101-4199)

Sex Offenses (3601-3699)

Damage Property
w/Explosive (2904-2906)

Obstructing the Police (4802-
4899)

Cruelty Toward Child, Wife (3802,
3803)

Traffic Offenses (5402-5499)

Bribery (5 101-5 199)

Resisting an Officer (4801)

Smuggling (5801-5899)

Health and Safely (5501-5599)

Weapon (5201-5203)

Money Laundering (6300)

Civil Rights (5699)

Hit and Run (5401 )

Property Crimes (7199)

Invasion of Privacy (5701-5799)

Drugs (Sentence >1 year)

Drugs (Sentence < 1 year)

Elections Laws (5999)

Conservation (6201-6299)

Public Order Crimes (7399)

*NationaI Security violations include the NCIC coded offenses of Sabotage, Sedition,
Espionage and Treason (0101-0199); Terrorist Threats (1602); and Weapons,
Arson/Incendiary Devices and Bombing offenses (5204-5299).

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APPENDIX B

Acronyms and Abbreviations

Definition

^ 1

Criminal Alien Program

CAR

Criminal Answer Required

CJIS .

Criminal Justice Information Services

ISI CPI - '■

Criminal Print Identification

DHS

Department of Homeland Security

M

Department of Justice

v DRO

Detention and Removal Operations

wmmmmms.

Frequently Asked Questions

FBI

Federal Bureau of Investigation

mmmm ■

Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System

IAQ

Immigration Alien Query

SSi m

Immigration Alien Response

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

US-VISIT Automated Biometric Identification System

IDR

IDENT Data Response

LEA

Law Enforcement Agency

#Si«sWsBs? :

Law Enforcement Support Center

^ ’ MOA

Memorandum of Agreement

01 i

Office of Investigations

ORI

Originating Agency Identifier

POC

Point of Contact

SG '

Secure Communities

SIB

State Identification Bureau

SGP

Standard Operating Procedures

US-VISIT

United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology

APPENDIX C

Points of Contact

The ICE and SIB points of contact for purposes of implementation of this MOA are:

For the SIB:

Terry D. Gibbons

Deputy Director

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

3121 Panthersville Road

Decatur, GA 30034

terry. gibbons@gbi.ga. state.ga. us

For ICE Detention and Removal Operations (DRO):

Felicia S. Skinner
Field Office Director
Detention and Removal Operations
1 80 Spring Street, SW
Suite 522

Atlanta, G A 303 03
(404) 893-W1P1

For ICE Office of Investigations (OI):

Kenneth A. Smith
Special Agent in Charge
Office of Investigations
1 100 Centre Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30344
(404) 346fiai
(404) 763-5919 Fax

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APPENDIX D

Public Information Points of Contact

Pursuant to Section X. of this MO A, RELEASE OF INFORMATION TO THE MEDIA
AND OTHER THIRD PARTIES, the signatories will coordinate with the ICE Public
Affairs Office regarding release of any information about Secure Communities and/or
IDENT/IAFIS Interoperability and agree to coordinate appropriate release of subsequent
information to the media regarding actions taken under this MO A. The points of contact
for coordinating such activities are:

For the SIB:

Terry D. Gibbons

Deputy Director

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

3121 Panthersville Road

Decatur, GA 30034

terry. gibbons@gbi.ga.state.ga.us

For ICE:

Barbara Gonzalez
3700 Arco Corp Drive
Suite 300

Charlotte, NC 28273
(305) 970-1294
bmgonzal@fins3 .dhs. gov

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